Interreg

Interreg supports cross-border and transnational cooperation projects aimed at regional development, where live music actors (venues, festivals, networks) can participate as partners by contributing to cultural, social or tourism-related initiatives anchored in local territories.

What gets funded

Territorial cooperation
Regional developments projects
Cultural projects linked to local development
Tourism
Innovation
Social cohesion

What your project needs to address

Culture must be framed within the following priorities:

Innovation
Territorial cohesion
Economic and social development
Environmental transition

Geographic scope

Two main types are relevant for live music organisations:

Cross-border (neighbouring regions)
Transnational (large EU regions, e.g. Baltic, Alpine)

Type of partnerships

Mandatory partnerships that often include public authorities, regional agencies, NGOs / cultural actors and SMEs.

Type of partners

Most partnerships include public authorities and SMEs.

Budget

Micro-projects: €25 000 – €60 000 (100% funding)
Standard projects: €500 000 – €5 000 000+ (co-funding required, typically 60% to 80%)

Budget and types of funding may vary per Interreg programme, as well as the type of grant received (lump-sum or based on actual costs). Always check with your Interreg Managing Authority.

Project duration

1 to 4 years

Administrative complexity

Medium to high, with strong reporting requirements.

Regularity of calls

There is no single EU-wide calendar. Calls are launched by each Interreg programme (cross-border, transnational, interregional), with typically 1 to 2 calls per year per programme depending on the funding period and priorities. Some programmes also have continuous or staged calls.

Success rate

Interreg does not have one single EU-wide success rate, as competition depends on each programme’s geography, priorities and timing of calls.

According to the State of Interreg Report 2025, the programmes with the most budget still available (below 40% allocation), as of December 2025, included France–Italy ALCOTRA, France–Switzerland, Italy–Malta, Italy–Switzerland, Aurora (Sweden–Finland–Norway) and Mozambique Channel.

Other programmes such as Spain–Portugal (POCTEP), Romania–Bulgaria, Greece–Bulgaria, NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED) and Spain–France–Andorra (POCTEFA) were between 40% and 60% allocated, meaning substantial funding remained available there too.

Get help for your application

Each Interreg programme’s Managing Authority or Joint Secretariat is the main contact point for applicants, providing guidance on project relevance, eligibility, and feedback on draft ideas (concept notes) before submission, as well as organising information sessions.

Examples of projects funded

Micro-project & Cross-border: TRANS4MUZIQ – a cross-border project between two French and Belgian venues that tests practical solutions to increase cooperation, audience mobility, and opportunities for emerging artists across the border.

Cross-border standard project: SAMSPEL63 – a cross-border Interreg project supporting music and cultural SMEs in Sweden and Norway through training, networking and collaboration to strengthen their professional development and regional live music ecosystem.

Transnational project: MI-RAP – a transnational project supporting music sector actors and public authorities to develop data-driven strategies that strengthen the music ecosystem and its regional development.

Live DMA tip

Choose this if…

Your project is strongly rooted in a territory and contributes to local or regional development (e.g. tourism, social cohesion, urban or cross-border dynamics).
You are already working (or willing to work) with public authorities or regional actors, in a structured partnership.
Your idea fits within a cross-border or transnational context, with concrete cooperation between neighbouring regions or within a larger EU area.
You have the capacity to manage a structured project with reporting obligations and co-funding (for standard projects), or you want to start with a small micro-project.

Avoid if…

Your project is purely artistic or sector-specific, without a clear link to territorial development or public policy priorities.
You do not have access to public or institutional partners, which are often central in Interreg projects.
You are looking for a simple, flexible funding scheme with low administrative requirements.
Your project does not have a clear cross-border or transnational dimension.

Where to apply

Applications are submitted directly to the relevant Interreg programme. You can identify and access programmes via the Interreg portal.

Each programme has its own website, call documents and application platform. You can find a list of programmes here.

Geographic list of Interreg programmes

Cross-border programmes

Western Europe

Iberian Peninsula

Central & Eastern Europe

Northern Europe & Baltic

Balkans & South-East Europe